Mr Peters is on his way to Canberra where he will meet with his Australian counter-part, Julie Bishop, who is also the deputy leader of the Liberal Party.

However, he said it would be "churlish" of him to mention the vote that took place this morning.

The best New Zealand could hope for was "stability on the Australian political scene", he said.

He said what were looking to be "slightly iffy trans-Tasman meetings" are now back on "solid ground''.

Mr Dutton has been in charge of Australia's immigration policy that has resulted in hundreds of New Zealanders living in Australia being deported back has been a source of tension between the two countries home.